Getty Images

Gabon

With an impressive 11.25% of the country proclaimed as national parkland, Gabon offers a spectacular array of wildlife in its dense rainforests and open savannah to enthrall nature enthusiasts. Add to that superb white-sand beaches, rushing rivers and ethereal landscapes, and you have an Eden-like travel experience in an unexplored part of Africa.

Gabon is the region's most progressive and traveler-friendly destination, although tourism remains extremely DIY. You'll either have to put yourself into the hands of a travel agency or negotiate the rough roads, infrequent transport options and the almost total lack of reliable infrastructure yourself. Outside the cosmopolitan Libreville and Port-Gentil, the country's largest cities, Gabon is an undiscovered wonderland not to be missed.

Explore Gabon

L
Lopé National Park
One of the most accessible of Gabon's national parks, Lopé offers rainforest and savannah teeming with apes, elephants and birds. Covering 4970 sq km, it…
L
Loango National Park
Coastline and estuary, savannah and rainforest make for a diverse array of animals and birds in this superb park. There's always something to see:…
P
Pongara National Park
Wonderful lodges, beautiful beaches and a wealth of animals makes Pongara the perfect escape from Libreville. Lodges provide excursions to see the…
M
Mayumba National Park
This marine park is the domain of barnacled whales and shy sea turtles, and the land, if you listen to the locals, is hushed by the spirits of ancestors…
Ivindo National Park
This 3000-sq-km national park provides the rare opportunity to view forest animals undisturbed in their own environment. The best location to do this is…
M
Minkébé National Park
The largest of Gabon's parks at 7000 sq km, Minkébé is the greatest refuge for elephants in the Congo Basin; there are said to be 30,000 individuals. You…
B
Batéké Plateaux National Park
Vast swathes of savannah cover 2050 sq km and reach heights of 860m. The land is almost desertlike and erosion has caused canyons to form (known as…
M
Monts de Cristal National Park
Botanists believe this park has the most diverse flora in Africa. Rare plants, butterflies and large mammals abound in the virgin forest. Almost constant…
B
Birougou National Park
Situated on the Chaillu Massif, this park is known as a Pleistocene refuge, meaning that its ancient savannahs, forest and the caves date back at least 40…

L
Lopé National Park
One of the most accessible of Gabon's national parks, Lopé offers rainforest and savannah teeming with apes, elephants and birds. Covering 4970 sq km, it…
L
Loango National Park
Coastline and estuary, savannah and rainforest make for a diverse array of animals and birds in this superb park. There's always something to see:…
P
Pongara National Park
Wonderful lodges, beautiful beaches and a wealth of animals makes Pongara the perfect escape from Libreville. Lodges provide excursions to see the…
M
Mayumba National Park
This marine park is the domain of barnacled whales and shy sea turtles, and the land, if you listen to the locals, is hushed by the spirits of ancestors…
Ivindo National Park
This 3000-sq-km national park provides the rare opportunity to view forest animals undisturbed in their own environment. The best location to do this is…
M
Minkébé National Park
The largest of Gabon's parks at 7000 sq km, Minkébé is the greatest refuge for elephants in the Congo Basin; there are said to be 30,000 individuals. You…
B
Batéké Plateaux National Park
Vast swathes of savannah cover 2050 sq km and reach heights of 860m. The land is almost desertlike and erosion has caused canyons to form (known as…
M
Monts de Cristal National Park
Botanists believe this park has the most diverse flora in Africa. Rare plants, butterflies and large mammals abound in the virgin forest. Almost constant…
B
Birougou National Park
Situated on the Chaillu Massif, this park is known as a Pleistocene refuge, meaning that its ancient savannahs, forest and the caves date back at least 40…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Gabon.

See
Lopé National Park
One of the most accessible of Gabon's national parks, Lopé offers rainforest and savannah teeming with apes, elephants and birds. Covering 4970 sq km, it…
See
Loango National Park
Coastline and estuary, savannah and rainforest make for a diverse array of animals and birds in this superb park. There's always something to see:…
See
Pongara National Park
Wonderful lodges, beautiful beaches and a wealth of animals makes Pongara the perfect escape from Libreville. Lodges provide excursions to see the…
See
Mayumba National Park
This marine park is the domain of barnacled whales and shy sea turtles, and the land, if you listen to the locals, is hushed by the spirits of ancestors…
See
Ivindo National Park
This 3000-sq-km national park provides the rare opportunity to view forest animals undisturbed in their own environment. The best location to do this is…
See
Minkébé National Park
The largest of Gabon's parks at 7000 sq km, Minkébé is the greatest refuge for elephants in the Congo Basin; there are said to be 30,000 individuals. You…
See
Batéké Plateaux National Park
Vast swathes of savannah cover 2050 sq km and reach heights of 860m. The land is almost desertlike and erosion has caused canyons to form (known as…
See
Monts de Cristal National Park
Botanists believe this park has the most diverse flora in Africa. Rare plants, butterflies and large mammals abound in the virgin forest. Almost constant…
See
Birougou National Park
Situated on the Chaillu Massif, this park is known as a Pleistocene refuge, meaning that its ancient savannahs, forest and the caves date back at least 40…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Gabon

Ready to go? Get to the heart of Gabon with one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.